Updated November 8, 2026.
In short: a curriculum vitae (CV) is a written summary of your education, work experience, skills and achievements that you send when you apply for a job, a course or a research post. The term is Latin for "course of (one's) life." Merriam-Webster defines it as "a short account of one's career and qualifications prepared typically by an applicant for a position." In the UK and most of Europe it is the standard two-page job document; in the US and Canada, "CV" usually means a longer academic record, and the short version is called a resume.
What does curriculum vitae mean?
Curriculum vitae is Latin for "course of (one's) life." Merriam-Webster dates its first known use in English to 1902, gives the abbreviation CV, and records the plural as curricula vitae. In US academia you will also hear it called a vita; UC Davis's career center uses that informal name for the academic version.
Merriam-Webster lists several pronunciations. The first is kə-ˈri-kyə-ləm-ˈvē-ˌtī, with "vitae" said VEE-tie; VYE-tee is also listed.
What is a curriculum vitae used for?
It is the document an employer, university or funding body reads before deciding whether to interview you. The UK National Careers Service describes a CV as "a summary of your skills, achievements and experience that you use to apply for jobs." Europass, the EU's CV service, says its CV can be used to apply for a job, for education or training, and for volunteering.
In the US the word is narrower. MIT's career office lists CVs for teaching or research positions, fellowships, further academic training, grants, contract funding proposals, tenure, promotion to professor and membership in a professional society. It notes that in the US the term "resume" is used for industry and other non-academic positions. Our guide to the difference between CV and resume compares the two side by side.
What should a curriculum vitae include?
A job-application CV has five core sections, according to the National Careers Service:
| Section | What goes in it |
|---|---|
| Contact details | Name, phone number, email address and a link to a profile such as LinkedIn |
| Introduction (profile) | A few short lines on who you are and what you hope to do, just under your name |
| Work history | Paid jobs, placements and volunteering, most recent first: employer, job title, dates and usually two or three lines on what you did |
| Education history | Qualifications, where you studied and the dates; before work history if you are early in your career |
| References | Optional; write "references are available on request" rather than someone else's contact details |
Prospects adds a skills and achievements section for languages and the software you use well, and an interests section that you leave out unless the interests are relevant to the job.
An academic CV keeps every category of your scholarly record. MIT's list of common headings covers education, research experience, fellowships, grants, awards and honors, teaching, mentoring, other professional experience, presentations and publications. UC Davis adds service and outreach, professional development and affiliations.
How long should a curriculum vitae be?
It depends on the type of CV and the country:
| Type of CV | Typical length | Source |
|---|---|---|
| UK job CV | No longer than two A4 pages; shorter for students seeking part-time jobs | University of Chester careers team, quoted by Prospects |
| UK CV for senior or very experienced applicants | Three pages can be needed | Prospects |
| Oxford student CV | One or two full pages; academic CVs may be longer | University of Oxford Careers Service |
| German job CV | No longer than two pages | Bundesagentur für Arbeit (Federal Employment Agency) |
| US academic CV | 2 to 4 pages early in a career, 4 to 7 with more experience | MIT Career Advising & Professional Development |
A job CV is short and selective; an academic CV is complete. MIT puts it plainly: on an academic CV, "completeness is more important than brevity."
Does a curriculum vitae look the same in every country?
No. The sections travel well, but conventions on personal details and photos vary by country, so check local guidance for the place you are applying. Two government sources show how far apart they can be:
- United Kingdom: the National Careers Service says not to include your age, date of birth, marital status or nationality. Prospects says you don't need a photo unless you are applying for acting or modeling work.
- Germany: the Federal Employment Agency's guide for applicants from abroad says to include your date of birth, place of birth and address, that a photo "is not mandatory, but is still expected by most employers," and that the CV ends with the date and your signature.
Across the EU, the Europass CV is a common starting point. The EU calls it "one of the best-known CV formats in Europe," and you can create it in 31 languages. The German agency adds that while Europass "provides a solid basis," many employers there prefer a more individual CV.
How do you write a curriculum vitae?
Start from the job advert, list everything you have done, then keep only what proves you fit. Our step-by-step guide to how to write a CV covers each section; the CV format guide covers layout, fonts and section order; and CV examples shows finished drafts for a graduate, an experienced professional, a career changer and an academic. If you are applying in North America, turn the CV into a resume and check it with the free ATS resume checker.
Frequently asked questions
What is a curriculum vitae in simple words?
It is a document that lists your education, work experience, skills and achievements, which you send when you apply for a job, a course or a research post. CV is the short form.
Is a curriculum vitae the same as a resume?
In the UK, Europe and many other countries, yes: CV is the everyday word for the job-application document. In the US and Canada they are different documents. A resume is a one- to two-page summary for one job, and a CV is the full academic record. See CV vs resume.
What is the plural of curriculum vitae?
Curricula vitae, according to Merriam-Webster. In everyday writing most people say CVs.
What does CV stand for?
Curriculum vitae, Latin for "course of (one's) life."
Should I write "Curriculum Vitae" at the top of my CV?
No. Prospects and Oxford's careers service both say to leave off the words "Curriculum Vitae" or "CV." Use your name as the title.
Do I need a photo on my curriculum vitae?
It depends on the country. Prospects says UK applicants don't need one unless they are applying for acting or modeling work. Germany's Federal Employment Agency says a photo is not mandatory there but most employers still expect one. Follow the job posting and local guidance.
How far back should a curriculum vitae go?
On a job CV, Prospects suggests summarizing old detail from ten years ago and cutting anything not relevant to the job. An academic CV is the exception: it keeps the full record.
Sources
- Merriam-Webster, "curriculum vitae" — checked November 8, 2026.
- National Careers Service (UK government), How to write a CV — checked November 8, 2026.
- Prospects (Jisc), How to write a CV — checked November 8, 2026.
- University of Oxford Careers Service, CVs — checked November 8, 2026.
- MIT Career Advising & Professional Development, Curricula vitae (CVs) — checked November 8, 2026.
- UC Davis Career Center, CV (Curriculum Vitae) — checked November 8, 2026.
- Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German Federal Employment Agency), Application process in Germany, part 1: curriculum vitae — checked November 8, 2026.
- Europass (European Union), Create your Europass CV — checked November 8, 2026.