UK CV Format (2026): Length, Personal Profile and What to Leave Out
In the UK the document is a CV (curriculum vitae). It is usually two pages of A4, opens with a short personal profile and focuses on achievements. Photos and personal details like age are left out.
UK CV format at a glance
| Name | CV |
|---|---|
| Length | 2 pages of A4 (1 page for school leavers and many graduates) |
| Paper | A4 |
| Photo | No (except acting, modelling and some front-of-house roles) |
| Personal details | No date of birth, marital status or photo |
| Address | Town/city is enough; a postcode area is optional |
| Spelling | British English (organised, programme, licence) |
| Dates | Month Year – Month Year |
| References | Optional; "References available on request" is usually omitted |
Section order
- Header: Name, phone (07… or +44), email, town/city, LinkedIn.
- Personal profile: 3–4 lines tailored to the role: who you are, what you offer, what you want.
- Key skills: 6–10 skills from the job advert.
- Work experience: Reverse-chronological with achievements.
- Education: Degree (with classification, e.g. 2:1), A-levels or equivalent for early-career candidates.
- Qualifications & training: Professional memberships and certificates (e.g. ACCA, CIPD, CSCS).
Header example
07700 900123 · priya.shah@email.com · Manchester · linkedin.com/in/priyashah
Include
- A tailored personal profile
- Achievements with numbers
- Degree classification if recent (e.g. BSc (Hons) 2:1)
- Right-to-work line if you are not a UK/Irish citizen
Leave out
- Photo
- Date of birth and age
- Marital status and nationality (unless explaining right to work)
- Full home address
- "Curriculum Vitae" as a title
Work rights and visa status
Employers must check right to work before hiring. If you have settled status, indefinite leave to remain, a Graduate visa or need Skilled Worker sponsorship, one short line near the top ("Right to work: Graduate visa valid until 2027") saves recruiters time. British and Irish citizens don't need to mention it.
Cover letters
A short cover letter or supporting statement is common. Public-sector and NHS roles often ask for a supporting statement that addresses each point of the person specification. Try the free cover letter generator.
Where to find jobs
- Indeed UK
- Reed
- Totaljobs
- CV-Library
- NHS Jobs
- Civil Service Jobs
- Find a job (GOV.UK)
Common mistakes
- Writing a US-style one-page resume for an experienced role.
- American spelling (organized, program) in a UK application.
- Including a photo or date of birth.
- A generic profile that could fit any job.
Check your CV before you apply
Pick UK in the free ATS checker to test length, spelling, personal details and keywords against a real job ad, or use Job Match for bullet rewrites and a cover note.
Other countries
FAQ
How long should a UK CV be?
Two sides of A4 is the standard. School leavers and graduates can use one page. Academics and some senior roles use longer CVs.
Should I put a photo on my CV in the UK?
No. It is not expected, and many employers remove photos to reduce bias. Exceptions are acting, modelling and some presenting roles.
Do I need a personal statement on a UK CV?
A short personal profile of 3–4 lines at the top is standard and helps recruiters see your fit quickly.
Should I include references?
You don't need to list referees or write "References available on request". Employers will ask later.