WhatsApp: +48 729 308 990How to write a CV for a German University
A Guide for International Students (2023)
You can rarely apply for a study program at a German university without submitting a Curriculum Vitae. Learn more about the format and the structure of a good German Resume!
How to write a CV for a German University
Let us make a guess: if you are reading this article, that means that you have already found out that one of the key documents that you would need for applying to a German university is the CV. If you did not know that, now you know!
The purpose of this article is to provide clear answers to the most crucial questions about the CV-writing process with regard to the German university context. We know that writing a CV for a German university is one of the most (if not the most) challenging application tasks for students. That is why we decided to make your life easier and put the answers to the central questions in one place.
The basics that you need to know about CVs for Germany
What is a CV for German universities?
In general, a Curriculum Vitae (CV), also known as a Lebenslauf in German, is a (mandatory) application document required by the majority of German universities. In this document, you should provide information about your academic background, work experience (including internships), extracurricular activities, and skills in a clear and organized manner. To put it another way, your CV is essentially a short biography, and it is through it that you can make a favorable impression on the admissions officer, which could be essential for your application to a German institution to be successful. Because of this, it's crucial to write a CV that meets German requirements, and you should take this task seriously.
Table 1: Different wordings used for "CV"
|
Term |
Typical Context/Scope |
Explanation |
|
CV |
University and Job Application |
Dominant term in German-speaking countries |
|
Curriculum Vitae |
University and Job Application |
CV is an acronym of Curriculum Vitae |
|
Resume |
University and Job Application |
Same meaning, but less frequent than CV |
|
Personal Data Sheet |
University and Job Application |
Same as CV, but used extremely rarely |
|
Lebenslauf |
University and Job Application |
German word for CV |
