Whether you’ve already got your doctoral degree or are still completing it, it can be tricky to know where and how to list it on your CV. Understanding how to put a PhD on your CV means you can submit it to potential employers or academic committees with confidence.
In this guide, we’ll tell you where to list your PhD, how much and what detail to include, which aspects to highlight (depending on your application), and more.
To make the process easier and more efficient, use our online CV building tool. It’s designed to save you time while ensuring your achievements are clearly presented.
Ways to list your doctoral degree on your CV
Listing a PhD will always look impressive on your CV, but how you present it can make a big difference.
There are several approaches to listing your doctorate, and the one you should take depends on the opportunity you’re pursuing (research fellowship, academic role, or industry job).
The key is to decide:
- Where your PhD should appear (education, work experience, or both)
- Which aspects of your studies or research to highlight
- How much detail to include
By tailoring your CV to the specific role you’re applying for, you can present your doctorate in the most relevant and compelling way to give yourself the highest chance of success.
How to add your PhD to the education section
Usually, PhDs are listed in the education section of your CV. This can be done in the following way:
- Under the ‘Education’ section, list your PhD alongside your other academic qualifications, from most recent to oldest.
- Include the institution, your thesis title (or a brief description of your research focus), and the dates you attended.
Here’s an example of how to write your PhD in a CV’s education section:
Example
PhD in Environmental Science
University of ABC, Oxford, UK
September 2021 – June 2025
- Thesis Title: “The Impact of Urbanisation on Local Biodiversity: A Case Study of the Thames Valley.”
MSc in Conservation Biology
University of XYZ, Cambridge, UK
October 2019 – July 2021
BSc (Hons) in Biology
University of XYZ, Leeds, UK
September 2016 – June 2019
You can also mention your PhD work in your CV’s Professional Experience section if you completed any placements. If that’s the case, mention your responsibilities and achievements.
Complete vs. incomplete PhDs
When adding a PhD to your CV, it’s important to make it clear whether your studies are completed or still ongoing. This is because employers and institutions want to understand your current academic status, availability, and commitments.
If you’re still studying, and are trying to create a CV as a PhD student, have a look at the in-progress PhD in a CV example below to see how to list it correctly.
Example
PhD in Environmental Science (In Progress)
University of ABC, Oxford, UK
September 2024 – Present
- Dissertation Topic: “Evaluating Climate Change Adaptation Strategies for Coastal Ecosystems.”
If you’ve already finished your PhD, below is a completed PhD in a CV example that you can refer to.
Example
PhD in Environmental Science (Completed)
University of ABC, Oxford, UK
September 2020 – June 2024
- Thesis Title: “The Impact of Urbanisation on Local Biodiversity: A Case Study of the Thames Valley.”
Explaining your PhD skills and experience
How you present your PhD on a CV will depend on the role or program you’re applying for. This is because different positions value different aspects of your doctoral work.
- For research-focused roles: Emphasise your research topic, methodology, findings, and any publications.
- For industry or professional roles: Focus on transferable skills such as data analysis, problem-solving, programming, or project management.
- For specialist positions: Draw attention to the relevant tools, statistical methods, software, or technical knowledge you used during your PhD.
These details can be added to the education section (with your thesis/dissertation description) or in the work experience section of your CV (if your studies included placements, collaborations, or teaching responsibilities.
Tailoring this information will ensure your PhD highlights the most relevant skills for the opportunity you’re pursuing.
Using PhD research as professional experience
Many PhD candidates and recent graduates wonder: “Is a PhD work experience?”
The short answer is yes.
Your doctoral research involves a range of professional activities that can be highly relevant to employers. Here are some types of experiences that count as work experience:
- Research projects and collaborations: Managing experiments, fieldwork, or large-scale studies demonstrates your project management and teamwork skills.
- Teaching and supervision: Leading seminars or mentoring students highlights your leadership and communication skills.
- Technical or lab work: Using specialised software, laboratory techniques, or data analysis tools shows that you are technically competent.
- Publications and presentations: Writing articles, presenting at conferences, or contributing to reports demonstrates your subject-matter expertise.
Here’s an example of listing PhD experience on a CV:
Example
Research Assistant / PhD Candidate
University of ABC, Oxford, UK
September 2020 – June 2024
- Conducted independent research on urbanisation and local biodiversity, analysing large datasets, and producing actionable insights.
- Led a team of three postgraduate students in field studies, coordinating schedules, and data collection.
- Presented findings at two international conferences and co-authored a peer-reviewed article.
By framing your PhD or DPhil this way, potential employers will see it not just as academic study, but as professional experience demonstrating valuable skills they’re looking for.
Academic vs Industry CVs for PhD holders
To give yourself the best chance of success, you should tailor your CV depending on whether you are applying for academic or industry roles. This is because recruiters in each sector look for different strengths.
If you’re applying for an academic role
When listing a PhD on an academic CV, focus on your research achievements, publications, grants, teaching experience, and contributions to your field. You should also outline your methodology, findings, and scholarly impact.
Recruiters within the academic field are mostly looking for evidence of expertise, originality, and the ability to advance knowledge in your discipline.
If you’re applying for an industry role
Your CV should highlight your transferable skills, the practical applications of your research, technical expertise, and experience in project management and collaboration.
Since recruiters are looking for what candidates can bring to the table, it’s crucial that you highlight any measurable outcomes and experiences that show you can solve real-world problems, communicate effectively, and work in team-based environments.
Key aspects of your PhD to highlight on your CV
When listing a PhD on your CV, your focus should be on the skills and experiences you’ve obtained during your studies, as they can clearly demonstrate your value to potential employers.
When done right, your skills and experiences can be framed as professional competencies rather than just academic achievements. Some key aspects that you can highlight include your:
- Research and analytical skills: Showcase your ability to design studies, analyse complex data, and draw actionable insights.
- Specialised knowledge: Emphasise expertise in your field or niche area, demonstrating authority and credibility.
- Project management: Highlight your experience in planning, organising, and executing long-term research projects.
- Teaching and mentoring: Include any supervision of students, leading workshops, or training colleagues.
- Communication skills: Present your experience writing publications, delivering presentations, or explaining complex concepts clearly.
You can feature these skills in the education section (through the description of your thesis), work experience section, or the skills-focused section to ensure your PhD experience clearly shows the professional value you can bring to the table.
With these tips, you can craft a CV that highlights your PhD in a way that resonates with recruiters, without needing to overcomplicate the presentation.
To simplify the CV creation and structuring process, you can rely on our CV templates and use our online CV building tool.
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