How to Write a Winning CV for Your Applications

A Curriculum Vitae (CV) is more than just a list of your academic history — it’s your professional story. It tells the scholarship committee who you are, what you’ve achieved, and why you’re the right person to invest in. If done correctly, it can set you apart from hundreds of other applicants. Over the past weeks, we have received tons of requests from our community readers like you, requesting a guide on how to craft and structure a professionally acceptable CV for their applications. So our team has carefully curated this post to educate applicants on the standard structure of how to write a winning Curriculum Vitae.

In this guide, we’ll:

• Break down the essential structure of a CV.

• Show you an example layout.

• Discuss common mistakes and how to avoid them.

• Equip you with tips to make your CV stand out.

At the end of this post, you will be ever ready for any job or scholarship opportunities coming your way. With the right CV, you will always have an edge over your counterparts.

✅ Structure of a Scholarship CV

Most of the time, applicants have what is needed for a qualifying CV, but knowing when and where it is a best fit makes the difference. You have the certificates, work experience, and contact information,  yet you feel stuck when writing a CV with this data. It is so because you do not know what a good Curriculum Vitae looks like. Fasten your seatbelt as we take you through this comprehensive guide. Moreover, a standard scholarship CV should be clean, professional, and easy to read. Here’s the structure to follow:

1. Personal Information

Include your:

• Full Name

• Contact Details (email, phone, address)

• Nationality

• LinkedIn profile or personal website (if relevant, especially if it is for a job application)

⚠️ Avoid: Adding unnecessary details like marital status, religion, or a photo (unless specifically requested by the company/institution).

2. Personal Profile (Summary Statement)

A short paragraph (3–5 lines are OK) that captures who you are, your academic focus, and your career aspirations.

Example: (For scholarship application)

Motivated international student with a strong academic background in Environmental Science, passionate about sustainable energy research. Seeking to further my studies at (University of Toronto) under the (Pearson Scholarship) to contribute innovative solutions to global climate challenges.

Please do note that, the institution, scholarship programme, course of study and interest mentioned are all for illustration purposes.

3. Education

List your educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (latest first).

Format:

• Degree name (e.g., Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering)

• Institution name

• Dates attended (year of admission/year of graduation)

• Key achievements or GPA (if outstanding)

4. Research Experience (if applicable)

Highlight research projects, thesis work, or publications you have worked on

Example:

• Undergraduate Thesis: “AI Applications in Smart Grids” — investigated optimization techniques for renewable energy management.

5. Work Experience / Internships

Even part-time roles or internships matter if they’re relevant. Focus on achievements, not just duties.

Format:

• Job Title, Organization

• Dates

• Achievements (use bullet points)

Example:

• Research Intern, GreenTech Labs (Jun–Sep 2022)

  • Assisted in developing solar tracking models that improved efficiency by 12%.

6. Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

Scholarship panels love to see leadership potential. Include:

• Club memberships

• Volunteer work

• Leadership roles (student union, community service, etc.)

This highlights your leadership skills and ability to work in a team.

7. Awards & Honors

List scholarships, academic awards, or competitions you’ve won.

8. Skills

Highlight both technical and soft skills.

• Technical: Programming languages, laboratory techniques, data analysis tools.

• Soft: Leadership, teamwork, public speaking.

Take these seriously; they show what the institution stands to gain when your application is considered. On the same hand, be careful not to exaggerate your skills or lie about them. The reward for such will be automatic disqualifications.

9. Languages

List languages and your proficiency level.

10. References

Add 2–3 academic referees if requested. Always ask for their permission first.

📌 Example Layout of a Scholarship CV

[Name & Contact Info]
📧 email@example.com | 📞 +234-XXXX | 🌍 Lagos, Nigeria

Personal Profile
Passionate Economics graduate with a strong academic background and proven leadership skills, aspiring to pursue a Master’s degree in International Development to promote equitable growth across Africa.

Education

• B.Sc. in Economics, University of Lagos (2019–2023)

  • Graduated First Class (GPA: 4.75/5.0)

  • Dean’s Honor List (2021–2023)

Research Experience

• Undergraduate Thesis: “Microfinance and Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.”

Work Experience

• Policy Intern, Ministry of Finance, Nigeria (Jun–Sep 2022)

  • Assisted in drafting youth entrepreneurship financing policy proposals.

Leadership & Extracurricular Activities

• President, Economics Students’ Association (2021–2022)

• Volunteer Tutor, Teach for Nigeria (2020–2021)

Awards

• Best Graduating Student, Faculty of Social Sciences (2023)

Skills

• Statistical Software: STATA, SPSS

• Strong presentation & teamwork skills

Languages

• English (Fluent), French (Intermediate)

References

• Available upon request

Download Scholarship CV template here

🚫 Common Mistakes in Scholarship CVs

1. Too Long or Too Short

   • Keep it 1–2 pages max. Anything longer is overwhelming.

2. Listing Duties Instead of Achievements

   • Don’t just say “worked at X company.” Show results like “increased efficiency by 15%.”

3. Poor Formatting

   • Use clear headings, consistent fonts, and bullet points. No clutter.

4. Irrelevant Details

   • Don’t include hobbies like “watching movies” unless they add value.

5. Spelling & Grammar Errors

   • Always proofread — small mistakes can cost big opportunities.

🎓 Final Tips

• Tailor your CV to each opportunity (don’t send the same generic CV everywhere).

• Use action verbs like led, designed, implemented, and achieved.

• Keep formatting clean and professional (avoid fancy fonts or colors).

• Ask a mentor or friend to review your CV before submission.

👉 With this structure and guidance, you now have the blueprint to craft a professional, scholarship-ready CV that tells your story with clarity and impact.