How to Write the Education Section of a CV: Order, GPA, Unfinished Degrees and Examples
Where the education section goes, what to include, when to mention your GPA or grades, how to list an unfinished degree or one in progress, and examples for graduates and experienced professionals.
The education section is simple in theory and full of small decisions in practice: where to place it, how much detail to give and how to handle degrees you did not finish.
Where it goes
- Graduates and students: near the top, right after the summary, because it is your strongest evidence.
- Experienced professionals: after work experience. After five years, your results matter more than your degree.
- Career changers with a new relevant degree: you can move it up again.
What to include
- Degree and subject: «BSc Computer Science».
- Institution and city.
- Dates (month and year, or just the year).
- Optional: grade, thesis topic, relevant modules or honours.
Should you mention your GPA?
In the US, include a GPA of 3.5 or above in your first years after graduating; leave it out later. In the UK, a First or 2:1 is worth stating. Elsewhere, add your grade when it is strong or when the ad asks for it.
Unfinished or in-progress degrees
- In progress: «MSc Data Science, expected June 2027».
- Unfinished: list the credits completed, not a degree you did not obtain: «Studied Business Administration, 90 of 180 credits, 2019–2021».
- Never present an unfinished degree as completed. Background checks verify degrees.
School, courses and certificates
Once you have a degree, high school is usually unnecessary. Short courses and professional certificates go in a separate «Certifications» section so they do not clutter education.
Examples
- Graduate: «BA Economics, University of Leeds, 2022–2025 – First Class Honours. Dissertation: pricing in regional airlines.»
- Experienced: «MBA, INSEAD, 2018».
- Abroad: add the local equivalent if the degree is unknown in the target country: «Bachelor of Engineering (equivalent to a UK BEng)».
The more experience you have, the shorter your education section becomes.
Let the tool place it
The CV Analyz builder orders sections based on your experience level and the conventions of your target country, and it only uses the degrees and dates you provide.
Build or improve your CV and get the education section right.
Improve your CV nowFrequently asked questions
Should education come before experience on a CV?
For students and recent graduates, yes. For professionals with several years of experience, put it after work experience.
Should I include my GPA?
Only if it is strong (for example 3.5+ in the US) and you graduated recently.
How do I list a degree I did not finish?
List the subject, the institution, the dates and the credits completed, without claiming the degree.